Lifting mechanism for bridges.



Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

lF. C.. OSBORN. LIFTING MECHANISNI ROR BRIDGES.

APPLICATION man ocT. 31. '1913.

w, W. Q M2. M 2,@ m ww V M n 0s n w WW Nm f O w J Am/Y ii'i if QSBORN, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO.

Messie.

I To 'all vwhom t may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK C. OsBoRN, a v

Bridges, of whichthe following is a specification, the principle of the invention beingherein explained and the best mode in which I have `contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguishit from other inventions. y

The subject of the present invention -is an improved lift bridge in which the usually unreliable and often dangerous cable members have been simplified into an. extremely strong and heavy connection between the bridge to be lifted and the counter-weight, and one which is freely movable over a properly constructed supporting tower. Railroad engineers have long objected to the use of cables fo-r these reasons and have never beenl satisfied witlrthem in bridges, although nothing better is known.

It has long been known that flexible-cables were extremely dangerous when used in lifting bridges, as they -wear very unevenly on the sheaves and often cause serious accidents, but no method of overcoming .this `diiiiculty was hitherto found. The present invention, however, does away with these dangers and at the same time simplifies the general construction. to a considerable 'extent.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and relatedends, said invention, then, consists yof the means hereinafter fully described and lparticularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawing and-the following description set forth in detail certain mechanisin embodying the invention, such dis-y closed means constituting, however, but one isl of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing :-Figure l is an end elevation showing one of the towers over which the connecting cable moves; Fig.

Q is a plan view. showing the connection between two'of the links of thecable; Fig. 3v

is a section 4through the trackformed on top of the tower; Fig. -iis a section through the modified type track: Figsi and (3 are similar lsections `showing other modifications of this feature; 4and Figs.' T and S show modifications oi other teatiircs.

Specification-.01?,ILei-.trs Patent.

l LIiirINGjMEoHiiNIsM-Fon BRIDGES.

rammen new. a, mia.

i Application led October 31, 1913. i Serial N '0... 798,398.

In Fig.I l have shown a, tower 1' in which the mechanism for raising the bridge 'is adapte-dto be housed, such tower consisting .brieiy 4of two spaced' parallel upright supports 2 connected by means of a member '3 for steadiness and bearing 'upon their upper l ends two complementary trusses 4, which,

when'in position, conjointly form a yseini-cir cular-.arch over the uprights offthe tower.

T hisarch Ashould be of substantial size to distribute the weight carried thereby. Ifl

only the usual lifting mechanism were' provided with this construction, still a very importaI-itadvantage would be secured, since each tower has'been simplified until itvcon- 'sists of but live members, whereas in the usual construction there are a much larger number, including bearings, etc., for. the large sheaves whichoperate the cables. The bridge 5 to be lifted .will be placed between two such towers and in line with the same of course, and will be attachedl at either end -to cables 6 which extend up along the side lof one upright, then over the arch and finally down the side of the other upright where it is terminally connected with a suitable counter-weight 7.

The cable `6 will preferably comprise a pluralityv of links 8, preferably in the form of I-bars or some equivalent construction, of

`equal length, which at their extremities are pivotally connected to each other by means of pins 9 which extend from either side of rollers l0, such rollers being adapted to rest upon the curved surface 11 of the arch and move freely thereover. It will 4be apparent that the rollers must be of sufficient size to prevent contact between the body ofv the ilink and the surface of the arch, as oth-fl l' erwise'there would. be a certain dragging which would-prevent free rollingy oi the cable. The necessary size of the rollers will depend of course upon the length of the;

ico

links, and the, shorter the lin-ks the smaller the diameter ofthe rollers.

The precise form of the curved surface of the arch, or the-track or roller-way as it may be called, is ofA little importance so long as some means are provided to eiiectually prevent tlie cable'from running ofi' the track. Thus. the track-way may take the form shown iii Fig. 3 iii which there areprovided. flanges 12 on either side between which the rollers operate, or it mayv be constructed as iii Fig. Jr, in which case a central ridge or proicctoii 123 is provided engaging in a coin- .spondl plementary' groove 14 -in the rollers. Other possible constructions are those shown lin s ightly, the rollers of course being corre-A the track.

The precise 'form of the links is similarly of little importance, it being possible to providea single roller at the juncture of the links or to provide what lmay be termed a i truck 15 in which two, or even three, rollers may be held; Such constructions are shown in Figs. 7 and 8 where there is a truck consisting of a member r bearing two parallel rollers 10 and beingV connected to the links at either side. These various details of construction may be changed to suit lthe individual conditions, the main features :cfa the invention being of course the constructionV of the support'vvhich vpermits of theuseof a rolling chain or cable such as has been described.

Las

Other modesof applying the principle of my* invention may be employed instead-of the oneI explained, change being madeasre gards the mechanism herein disclosed, pro+ Figs-5 and 6 in Which the track is beveled)` vided the means stated by any of the followp ing lclaims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

i. I therefore particularly point out and ngly formed to properly engagein-yr distinctly claim as my invention 1. In a'lift bridge,tliecombination of an elevated arch of substantial. radius, .a cable passing over said arch and provided With rollers which ride thereon, a bridge connected to one end said cab-le and a counterweight sec i -j to the other 'end -thereof. l

2. In a lift bridge he combination of an elevated arch of substantial radius, a cable passing over. said archl and provided with rollers which ride thereon, means for guidlng said rollers onsaid arch, a bridge cone nected to one end of said cable, and a counterweight connected tothe other end thereof. y

Signed by me, this 28th dayy of October,

FRANK C. OSBORN.

Attested by H. B. FAY, MARY GLADWELL. 

